All posts by TSgt Grever

The following document, which was released by the Air-Sea Battle Office, provides an unclassified summary of the air-sea battle concept. What follows is a fuller description of the military problem presented to U.S. and allied forces by anti-access/area denial threats; how air-sea battle addresses this problem; air-sea battle’s role in service and joint force development; and how air-sea battle is being implemented. This reference is designed to provide an overview of the air-sea battle concept and what the services are doing to operationalize or implement its tenets within their force development processes.

Shortly after its birth as a separate service, American Airmen have worn the color blue.

Blue represents the sky above earth; a medium the Air Force first aimed to conquer. Blue in our uniforms, in our shield and in our official symbol is also commonly connected to loyalty and courage. Airmen have shown loyalty and courage in every significant conflict since the dawn of flight and continue doing so today.

Air Force blue begins entering our lives in basic military training. We learn about being Airmen. We share common experiences, learn attention to detail and become eager to dedicate ourselves to the mission. We are forged in the furnaces before proceeding to technical training where we learn a skill. Our instructors teach us the professional standards we need to follow in our specific career fields. Here, we are shaped and polished. When we report to our first assignment we are “blue”. Our blue is strong, straight and true. We have become weapons of our nation — weapons of the highest quality and accuracy.

As we go about our daily lives, on and off duty, in and out of uniform, we face challenges, weather storms, experience occasional failures and meet with other forms of adversity. We listen to others complain. We grow tired of facing the same obstacles at every turn. Sometimes we run across situations we haven’t been trained to handle and get discouraged. Since we are human, these things can wear away at our blue. They can make us dull. As with any weapon or tool, constant use without periodic maintenance can lower effectiveness. Airmen are no different.

Bluing is a process often used by gun manufacturers, gunsmiths and gun owners to improve the cosmetic appearance of, and provide corrosion resistance to, firearms, according to Walter J. Howe in his 1946 book, “Professional Gunsmithing”. All blued parts still need to be properly oiled to prevent rust.

Professional military education is a rebluing process for Airmen.

In the course of our studies, activities and even social events, we improve our cosmetic appearance — reminding one another about the proper wear of the uniform and the importance of a professional image. We obtain corrosion resistance as we discuss the core values and the noncommissioned officer and senior NCO responsibilities. We reaffirm our collective dedication to professional standards. This reaffirmation defends us from cynicism, negative thoughts and griping. Just as it does with worn firearms, our rebluing process returns us to the highest quality and accuracy.

In Air Force PME, the rebluing process serves exactly the same purpose it serves with any worn weapon. It improves cosmetic appearance, prevents corrosion and improves overall functionality.

When America takes up arms to defend herself against those who would destroy our way of life, her aim is straight and true because as Airmen, we remain blue.

PHOTO: Master Sgt. Tiffany Bettisworth, Airman Leadership School commandant, evaluates students during a drill ceremony March 7, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Bettisworth directs the five week-long professional military education program designed to develop Airmen into effective front-line supervisors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Hughes)

Life in the Air Force is a unique experience that makes the simple question, “Where are you from?” a little complicated. While most people can easily name their hometown, if you’ve grown up in an Air Force family, your answer may be that home is where the Air Force is.

Airmen and their families live in many different places, have the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of various cultures and make friends all over the world. While the idea of each new adventure can be exciting, the thought of packing and moving (again!) can also be extremely daunting.

Air Force housing professionals recognize the efforts behind this transition and work to make sure service members and their families are aware of the resources available to them. At each installation, the Air Force Housing Management Office offers a variety of referral and relocation services. Housing professionals counsel members on the different housing options available, provide property listings and offer pre- and post-arrival information so they can find a quality place to live that meets their family’s needs. Support services also range from helping members understand their lease agreements and the necessity for a military release clause to assisting in resident/landlord dispute resolution. Whatever assistance a member may need, the housing office’s knowledge of the local area can often save both time and money.

On behalf of Air Force Housing professionals around the world, congratulations on your new assignment and we encourage you to reach out for personalized service to create a seamless transition to your new home.

In addition to the support provided by the local housing office, the following resources are available to help military families prepare for their next move.

An online resource that helps Airmen and their families learn about housing options available at Air Force installations world-wide. The site provides information on family and unaccompanied housing, community amenities, local policies, furnishings and referral and relocation support services. It also provides information on the local community around each installation such as maps, school districts, weather and other useful resources that will help Airmen and their families become familiar with their new home. If you can’t find the information you need on the Frequently Asked Questions page, use the contact information provided on each Air Force base’s web page to contact the base Housing Management Office directly.

The joint service website provides military members, civilians and contractors with a single source to search for off-base community rental properties, military for sale by owner listings, privatized housing and temporary lodging accommodations located near U.S. military installations. In addition to property listings, AHRN recently announced the launch of RentSmart – a new budgeting tool available on the site. RentSmart breaks down the components of a service member’s Basic Allowance for Housing amount (Estimated rent, utilities and renter’s insurance) and compares it to average rent amounts in their gaining installation’s housing market. This tool gives members better visibility how on their estimated monthly budget can be applied when evaluating housing options at a new installation. Create an account at www.AHRN.com and begin your search!

A Department of Defense-sponsored website that provides resources, policy and guidance designed to help service members and their families navigate life in the military. Click on “Military Life Topics” and select “Moving” for tools to help plan your move.

A Department of Defense-sponsored website that provides everything service members need to get to know a new installation. Whether you are looking for “Fast Facts,” Youth Programs, spouse employment opportunities or even information on how to ship your pets, this site provides a thorough installation overview and connects members with important local contacts.

PHOTO: Staff Sgt. Eric Houghton, Air Force Global Strike Command, poses March 13 with his family and Mary Ann Schwalbendorf, Balfour Beatty Communities resident specialist, in front of his new base house. Houghton was the first Airman to move into one of the new houses BBC built on F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyom.

Congratulations to the United States Air Force 7 Summits team for successfully reaching the Mount Everest summit May 19. The historic climb marks the first time a team of military members from any nation has reached the highest point on all seven continents including Mount Elbrus in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Aconcagua in South America, Mount McKinley in North America, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, and Mount Everest in Asia. The team completed the Mount Everest climb on the 50th anniversary of Jim Whittaker’s three-month trek on May 1, 1693, to become the first American to reach the top of Mount Everest.

Maj. Rob Marshall, a CV-22 Osprey acceptance pilot from Mercer Island, Wash., currently stationed at Bell Helicopter in Amarillo, Texas, celebrated the completion of the challenge by doing 30 pushups in less than 30 seconds at the summit. Marshall said he did the pushups to highlight the importance of physical fitness and teamwork.

Staff Sgt. Nick Gibson, 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., will wrap up our blog series about the team’s journey and his individual challenges during the final climb of Mount Everest.

Information courtesy of USAF Seven Summits Challenge blog. For more information, follow the team’s progress on the Seven Summits website, Seven Summits blog and Facebook page. You can also visit the 920th Rescue Wing Facebook page. The USAF 7 Summits Challenge is not officially sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Air Force. It is a team of military members acting unofficially, and with no DOD financial assistance, to spread goodwill about the U.S. Air Force.

Airmen from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and about 250 members from the Oklahoma National Guard continue to work with local and federal agencies providing search, rescue and recovery efforts after a tornado devastated the area May 20. First responders from Tinker AFB were immediately dispatched to Moore, Okla., and one base surgeon was sent to Oklahoma University Medical Center to treat the injured. The 507th Air Refueling Wing Crisis Action Team also worked diligently to provide emergency response teams lights, vehicles, water trucks and volunteer Airmen to assist with crowd control and recovery efforts.

Col. Steven Bleymaier, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, said the base activated its Emergency Family Assistance Center May 20 to ensure Airmen and their families received food, clothing and emergency financial assistance to help them recover from this tragedy. Bleymaier also requested the community’s help to provide temporary shelter to those displaced by the storm.

Air Force Personnel Center officials activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to ensure Airmen and their families in the Moore and Oklahoma City, Okla., were accounted for and provided assistance. Airmen can access the AFPAAS website from the Air Force Portal and the AFPC website.

We’ve compiled a list of links and resources for military members and their families seeking assistance and support from Tinker AFB agencies and other organizations. Airmen and family members can call the Tinker Emergency Family Assistance Center for more information at 405-749-2747. Civilians can call the American Red Cross-Central Oklahoma at 405-228-9500. More information about the disaster relief efforts can also be found at the Tinker AFB public website.

PHOTO: A Tinker Fire and Emergency Services crew responds to the May 20 tornado that struck Moore, Okla. Twelve base firefighters and one safety officer were immediately dispatched to assist with rescue activities in the vicinity of 19th street and Interstate 35 in Moore, and one surgeon was dispatched to OU Medical Center. More help has been provided overnight with lights, vehicles, water trucks and volunteer Airmen are preparing to assist with crowd control and recovery efforts. (Photo courtesy of Tinker Fire and Emergency Services)

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